After his conversation with Rimuru, Ainz sat in his grand throne room, contemplating recent events. The call with Rimuru had been enlightening, as it always was. Rimuru, cheerful and optimistic, had told him about the new allies he had gained, including the powerful Ogres, who had evolved into Kijin under his protection. It seemed that Rimuru was growing more powerful by the day, which Ainz respected, but it also sparked a sense of rivalry. Ainz, ever the strategist, wondered if he, too, should be forming alliances and seeking out more powerful allies.
However, his thoughts shifted back to the Orc Lord. While Rimuru was confident in his forces' ability to handle the threat, Ainz knew that things in this world could be unpredictable. Orcs, especially ones like the Orc Lord, were dangerous. They had abilities that could rival those of even the most powerful monsters, and their Devour skill was particularly troubling. The ability to consume others and grow stronger was not unlike the abilities Ainz himself possessed. The similarities intrigued him, and he wondered if perhaps there was something to learn from this Orc Lord.
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After the call ended, Ainz's attention returned to the Demonic Ant Army he had been nurturing. Deciding it was time to see their progress firsthand, he activated his teleportation spell and vanished from his throne room, reappearing moments later in the Wasteland, a desolate region where the ants had been left to evolve and grow.
As soon as he arrived, Ainz was greeted by an impressive sight. The landscape was teeming with ants, their massive forms scuttling across the ground and over the remains of fallen magical beasts. The once-barren Wasteland had become a thriving ecosystem for these creatures. The air was thick with the energy of their evolution, the mana of the land feeding into them and accelerating their growth.
Ainz took a moment to observe the scene. Many of the ants had grown larger, their exoskeletons gleaming with a hard, almost metallic sheen. They moved with coordination and purpose, hunting the magical beasts that roamed both the land and the nearby seas. The mana-rich environment had allowed them to evolve far beyond what Ainz had initially anticipated.
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The Sea's Situation:
Turning his gaze toward the sea, Ainz marveled at the creatures that lurked beneath its surface. The waters of the Wasteland were teeming with life, but not the kind of life one would expect. Massive, serpent-like creatures slithered through the depths, their scales glinting with an eerie light. They were magical beasts, drawn to the abundant mana that the region exuded.
On the surface, smaller, fish-like monsters darted back and forth, feeding on the scraps of magical beasts that the ants had left behind. Occasionally, an ant would venture into the water, where it would battle these sea creatures, dragging them back to shore to consume them. Ainz watched with fascination as one particularly large ant emerged from the water, carrying the remains of a serpent-like creature in its mandibles. The ant tore into its prey, its body glowing faintly as it absorbed the magical energy from the beast.
The cycle of evolution was relentless. The ants were not only growing stronger; they were also beginning to display unique abilities. Some could generate acid rain, while others had developed the ability to manipulate time in small bursts, allowing them to move at incredible speeds for short durations. These abilities, while still in their infancy, showed immense potential. Ainz knew that with time, these ants could become a force to be reckoned with.
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Upgrading the Ant Army:
Satisfied with the progress the ants had made, Ainz decided to take things a step further. He activated his Ant Emperor skill, a derivative of the Ant King ability that he had upgraded recently. This skill allowed him to command the ants with even greater precision, and more importantly, it gave him the ability to bestow new powers upon them.
As he focused his magic, he cast a complex spell designed to preserve the ants' resources. The spell ensured that when an ant died, its soul and body would automatically transfer to Ainz's personal dimension, where he could recycle and resurrect them as needed. This way, the death of an ant would not result in a loss of power or potential; instead, it would allow for their rebirth and further evolution. Ainz was pleased with this solution, as it maximized efficiency and minimized waste.
Being the cautious ruler that he was, Ainz also integrated a scanning spell into the process. If any ant became infected or corrupted, the scanning spell would detect the anomaly, preventing the compromised ant from entering his dimension. This precaution was essential, as Ainz did not want to risk contamination of his resources. The scanning spell, along with the resurrection ability, was seamlessly merged into the Slave Seal that all of his ants bore, giving him absolute control over their fate.
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New Skills and Abilities:
As the ants continued to evolve, Ainz noticed that he was also acquiring new abilities through his connection to the Ant Emperor skill. These abilities were a mix of practical and seemingly mundane skills, ranging from farming to dancing, walking, and even singing. While these skills might not have seemed particularly useful, Ainz was intrigued by their potential. After all, in the right context, even the simplest of skills could become valuable tools.
One of the more notable abilities he gained was Bullet Time, which allowed him to slow down his perception of time, giving him a significant edge in combat. Another was Acid Rain, a deadly offensive skill that could melt through even the toughest defenses. Ainz knew that these skills, while still low-level, could be useful in the future, particularly if they evolved further.
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Ant Conversation:
Among the evolved ants, one stood out: Draculin, the first ant to survive Ainz's Slave Seal and remain completely loyal. Draculin had evolved rapidly, gaining the Vampire Blood skill during his transformation. This ability allowed him to restore his health by drinking the blood of enemies, making him an incredibly dangerous opponent on the battlefield.
Draculin had also taken on a leadership role among the ants, commanding a group of elite soldiers. As Ainz watched, Draculin addressed his troops with a sense of pride. "Our master has granted us this power," he declared, his voice filled with authority. "We must prove ourselves worthy by conquering this world in his name." The other ants responded with a chorus of cheers, their loyalty to Ainz evident in their fervor.
Ainz, observing from a distance, was pleased with Draculin's progress. He had become a formidable commander, and his loyalty was unquestionable. Ainz knew that he would be a key figure in his plans moving forward.
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Demiurge's Praise:
As Ainz continued to watch the ants, Demiurge arrived at the Wasteland, having just returned from a reconnaissance mission. Demiurge, ever the loyal servant, immediately recognized the significance of what Ainz had achieved.
"Master, your Ant Army has surpassed all expectations," Demiurge said with admiration. "The way they have evolved… it's nothing short of extraordinary. You've created a force that could rival any kingdom in this world."
Ainz nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. But we must remain vigilant. The world is vast, and there are still many powerful beings out there. Our enemies will not sit idly by while we grow in strength."
Demiurge smiled. "Of course, my lord. But with your brilliance, we will always be one step ahead."
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Preparing for the Next Move:
With his army growing stronger by the day, Ainz knew that it was time to test them in battle. Reports had come in that the Orc Lord was preparing to attack a nearby kingdom, and while Rimuru had assured him that he could handle the situation, Ainz couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to be ready for anything.
In the meantime, the Ant Army was prepared. They had fed on countless magical beasts, both on land and in the sea, and their numbers were steadily increasing. Ainz knew that they would soon be ready for their first true test on the battlefield.
But before that, Ainz had one more task to complete. He had promised himself that he would never waste resources, and the ants were no exception. With their evolving skills and abilities, Ainz saw endless potential. And with his new spell in place, even death could not stop their progress. The world would soon learn the power of Ainz Ooal Gown.
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